The Joseph P. Riley Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Studies
Welcome to the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Studies. The Center houses programs of academic study, research, and community service. While the Center has served the College of Charleston and the greater Charleston community since 1978, the renaming of the Center in 2001 reflects a more applied and committed focus to enhancing urban life in the Charleston area. Among his many accolades, Charleston's Mayor Riley has underscored the importance of public spaces and energized, livable cities.
Mayor Riley's attention to urban issues has led the Center to concentrate more heavily on urban planning and city livability concerns. Over the last several years, the Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Center has expanded its multidimensional focus to explore issues such as public housing and affordability, crime reduction, and economic development. In addition, the Center continues to employ resources to assist the College of Charleston in meeting a three-fold mission of providing undergraduate and graduate level education, conducting research to benefit the state and region, and enhancing community service.
Research
The Center's Public Management Assistance Program (PMAP) and the Survey Research Program are designed to offer research and consultation services to governmental jurisdictions and non-profit organizations at modest cost. These services have been developed in response to the needs generated by federal program cutbacks and expansion in the use of non-profit organizations as agents of the government.
Recent organizations employing the services of PMAP include: